Buccaneers scrap spread offense for power-I look

This article appeared in the Tampa Tribune on May 16, 2003.

By ANDY STAPLES

NEW PORT RICHEY - Gulf High football coach Keith Newton looked back at last year's Mitchell game and realized he needed to make another change. The Buccaneers had opened up their offense, only to realize they had forgotten how to play on a short field. Against the Mustangs, Gulf made five trips inside the 10-yard line and came away with three points in a 12-10 loss.

So Newton decided to scrap the spread offense he installed last year and go with a more conservative - but still versatile - power-I. The new offense allows the Bucs to take advantage of quarterback Jeff Blanchette's arm while keeping some blockers in to protect him.

Newton hopes it also makes trips to the red zone more fruitful.

``We need more down inside the 20-yard line,'' Newton said. ``All our stats showed us playing very well from the 30 to the 30.''

Blanchette believes the offense will help showcase the Bucs' improved backfield. That includes fullback Joe Brandau, a freshman who emerged late last season.

Better backs should help, because graduation claimed receiver Sean Collins, Blanchette's favorite target last season. Ross Henderson and Andy Medina will try to pick up where Collins left off.

And while he won't have four receivers on the field every play, Blanchette can live with fewer targets as long as he does not finish each play planted on the turf.

``I've got a little more time,'' he said with a laugh.

Newton didn't stop with the offense. He also traded the 5-2 defense for a more modern 4-3. Newton said he wanted to take advantage of linebackers Brandau, Chris Whytsell and Jordan Stewart.

``We have three really good linebackers, and we wanted to get them on the field at the same time,'' Newton said.

Whytsell said he prefers the new defense, which allows the linebackers to cover more of the field instead of relying on the defensive line to make most of the plays.

The players also like the new attitude. Gulf had nearly 60 players come out for spring practice, but that number has shrunk to about 45. That's fine with Whytsell and Blanchette, who said the Bucs lacked senior leadership last year. They intend to change that this season.

``We had too many people who just wanted to wear the jersey last year,'' Blanchette said.

With a smaller, more dedicated group, Whytsell said the Bucs can accomplish more.

``The people that are here now want to play,'' Whytsell said.